With the increase of toll roads across America, technology behind making those roads easier to navigate and faster has certainly improved. The only issue becomes embracing the technology for motorists. Many times motorists are slow to adapt to improvements in such systems. Many states that have toll roads now offer an easier way to pay compared to stopping and handing out coins or cash- a responder tied to a bank account tied to the toll system that automatically deducts money where each toll booth is.

Some areas, such as Illinois, have doubled their toll rates to cash paying motorists while essentially keeping the rates the same for people who pre-pay and use a transponder. While many consider this unfair, consider the amount of manpower it takes to accept cash, make deposits, and maintain lanes for cash only. Automated lanes offer near highway speed transactions and typically are cheaper than paying in cash because the cost of operation is much lower.

The only issue for some is getting a transponder box, making a first time deposit, and keeping up to date. Some want the best of both- not to buy a transponder but pay less than the cash lanes. Using this method, they use the cheaper, automated lanes, then get home and pay the toll online for the lower price. While this is band-aid solution to not having money at the time, it should never be a permanent solution. Should you forget to pay just one toll, you'll be slapped with a letter and a much larger find. Suddenly that 25-cent toll is $25, $50, or even $100. With that amount, you could have purchased a transponder and put a hefty amount into the account.

Bottom line is to check ahead if you'll be taking toll roads, and if you travel those roads frequently, or even a few times a year, it may easily be worth it to buy a transponder. Funds typically don't expire and are easily reloaded manually or automatically. Its a lot less pain thinking about tolls when you're breezing under a toll booth at 65mph.

Don't be behind the technology curve- if you live in such an area, get a transponder and don't risk the hefty fines of missing just one toll payment. Serious offenders can also have their licenses suspended. All for a 25-cent toll. Worth it? No way.

We don't have any places where you can breeze through a toll at 65mph like the article says. The signs all say 15mph at the e-z pass gates...............unfair to make a 25 cent toll $50 like the article says. Everybody that uses the toll roads already has a transponder and an account so they don't have to fumble with money every day. So out of state and infrequent users would be screwed.The system would have to be changed so all states would be the same and you could use your account in every state. That would have to be the first thing to happen.

If the use of a transponder if more cost effective for governments, then they should provide the boxes for free (and citizens could load as much toll money as they want onto their transponder). If you have to pay for the transponder and you don't use the toll roads frequently, it does not make sense to acquire one.

Well, CT did get rid of the tolls along I-95 after it was paid for, not that they stopped construction on it the last time that I was down there. I agree that it's hard for states to get rid of tolls because of the money that they generate. NH is great example...those tolls will be in place forever because the state refuses to implement a taxation system like most other states do & they are *desperate* for money, but it IS possible to get rid of tolls.

In Austin we just went through building a bunch of toll roads. First, there are just as many free lanes as before (access roads now). Many of the new tolls go places that you had to go the long way around to get to before. Second, these roads would not have been built for another 10 - 20 years (at least) if they weren't tolled and we really needed the roads, years ago.

Do I like paying tolls? Well, of course not. Do I use the roads and pay the tolls? Of course I do. My time is worth something too.

One other thing, I have NEVER seen a road constructed as fast as these toll roads were build. You never saw anyone just standing around. They came in a year early and under budget.

And yes, it's a new tax but so is the lottery and people still happily pay that one.

Things like EZPASS is just going to make it easer to make more roads a toll road or GPS that would make all roads a toll road. This would also catch the EV that doesn't pay a gas tax.Gee what will they do about an vehicle that doesn't pay a gas tax?Put GPS on it & tax away.

Coming from one of the first States to initiate this practice in the 50's, to pay for the nations first highway system, getting rid of toll roads is an impossibility. No government agency will give in to that for which many state jobs depend on the revenue. It would be like killing the goose that lays the golden egg. Even with all the talk over the past few decades on how the highway systems been paid for many times over and tolls are no longer necessary; our only choice is to at least embrace the technology that makes it less painful.

WHy should someone who is using a toll road from out of state pay a heftier toll for using the toll road one time over those who use it regularly. It's stupid to buy a transponder for one time usage of the road. This certainly presents these states as unfriendly to tourists and passers by. We should not visit or travel through these arrogant states.

Huh? What increase? Who said there's an 'increase'? I know of a few toll roads that no longer charge tolls; I don't know of any new ones.

Nothing like starting off with a loose ungrounded premise...

I was once travelling with a girlfriend toward New England. Looking around at the turnpikes, she flatly declared "I am NOT paying money to drive on a road!". She was from the South and had never seen such a thing.

That is one solution. However those who do not use the roads are often poorer citizens and states do not want to penalize them. OTR trucks are biggest payers and they create the most damage to those roads.

that's why i avoid the toll roads when driving around chicago. i don't live so i'm not about to for a speed pass to only be used 1 a year. if you have to stop and pay the toll, be prepared for a long wait.

Penna is raising the tolls on the PA Turnpike AGAIN! It made money for years but now the TP Commission has not run it financially sound and they want to sell it. So which is better? Seems like there is no winner in this situation unless you just do not make repairs, plow snow or pay the employees.

The closest toll road is north of hear in eastern Pennsylvania. The turnpikes travels from nearly the area between Wilmington, Delaware and Philidephia, Pennsylvania. If person wants to driver directly from Washington DC or Baltimore, MD, to New York, they would often take that route.

After seeing that the cost of that toll, when I go to New York city, I go by railroad instead of auto!

Every year they used to tear up the sides of the Turner Turnpike with dozers, then lay sod! Ridiculous waste of money. The tolls are about $4.00 from Oklahoma City to Tulsa and the road has been paid off over 20 years!

north carolina has no toll roads-yet, but I-540 around raleigh and wake county is proported to be toll-if so, i will go out of my way to avoid 540 at that time-right now there is no toll, so there is no prob..

WE HAVE THE SUNPASS HERE IN FLORIDA AND IT'S VERY EASY TO USE AND I HAVE NOT HAD ANY OF THE PROBLEMS AS THIS ARTICLE HAD !!! I BET THE HUSBAND DIDN'T WANT TO USE THE PASS DUE TO HIS SNEAKING AROUND TO HIS GIRLFRIEND'S HOUSE, LOL!!!

wait till jan 1 2011 & 2013 when folks making $30,000 become obama's top 2 % and are taxed like that too,when citizens finally see all the new taxes taking effect,i wonder how many will still embrace this administration ?

First you pay taxes to build the road. Then you continue to pay that tax plus they add a new tax called Toll Road! Are you glad you voted for these crooks who think of every way possible to dig a little deeper into your wallet!!!